Trenchless Sewer Line Repair

October 29th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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No one wants to have to undergo a sewer line repair or replacement. For one thing, they can be costly, up to $20,000 depending on the nature and extent of the problem. For another, they are very disruptive, especially when a backhoe has to be taken to the whole back yard to get to the target pipes, which can lie under the garage, patio or new lawn you just installed.

Well, at least now there is relief on one front. Sewer septic companies have begun offering trenchless sewer line repair, a process which involves very little digging, if any.

How does it work?  Basically, the sewer septic professional will go through one or two entry points with a long narrow probe and fix the damaged pipe using one of two techniques:

Pipe Lining – In this type of repair, a flexible tube coated with resin is pulled through the damage pipe and then inflated. The resin then hardens to form a new tube inside the pipe, diminishing its diameter by a mere quarter inch.

Pipe Bursting – In this type of trenchless repair, a new pipe is drawn through the old one, bursting it in the process. With this method, there is no reduction in the diameter of the sewer line.

Both of the above methods are more costly than traditional sewer line repair or replacement, costing between three thousand and twenty thousand dollars per pipe section.  However, if it means that you do not have to dig up the driveway, garage or entire lawn, it might well be worth it. The only way to know for sure if this option works for you is to contact your local septic sewer contractor for a consultation.

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Sewer Lines: What Type Are Yours?

October 29th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Many homeowners don’t know what their sewer lines are made of until a break or backup occurs and they find out the hard way. But by knowing what type of lines you have, you may be able to avoid further messy problems, and anticipate replacement or sewer line repair costs.

Depending your home’s age, your sewer line could be made of one of the following:

Clay – From 1900 to about 1920, clay was often used in home sewer line construction. Generally very porous, clay has a tendency to soften and crack, which leads to problems with tree roots growing inside the pipes and clogging them. 

Concrete – In the 1920s and 1930s, concrete was often used. Very prone to cracking and breaking, this material also resulted in problems with tree roots and leakages.

Cast Iron – Cast iron has been used almost since the beginning, but was very popular in the 1950s and 1960s. While extremely strong, it has a tendency to rust and corrode over time. 

Orangeburg – A very popular sewer line material from the 1950s to the 1970s, Orangeburg was made of layers of compressed layers of coal tar and wood. The trades virtually abandoned Orangeburg when it was deemed too soft and apt to deteriorate underground.

PVC – Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is the most commonly used material in modern sewer pipes because it’s durable, relatively inexpensive, resistant to chemicals and easy to joint. It is a plastic derivative that comes in either white or grey. 

ABS – Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS, is also a plastic derivative, most often seen as a black pipe. It, too, is extremely durable and heat resistant, although it can be affected by ultraviolet rays. While similar in dimension, ABS and PVC should not be used together in sewer lines because of their different expansion rates.

Most municipalities now have codes that dictate the type of material that should be used for your sewer line, usually PVC, ABS or sometimes cast iron. It is important to check with your local building department or sewer septic contractor before doing any sewer line installation or repair.

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Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Septic Tank or Sewer Line Repairs?

October 29th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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If something goes wrong with your septic tank or sewer line, it can be quite costly to repair. Replacing an entire home sewer line, for example, could easily cost well over $10,000.  For a new septic tank, you’re looking at $2,000 plus the cost of excavation. It’s easy to see why homeowners often question whether insurance will cover this costly and seemingly sudden expense.

Homeowners insurance generally will cover a repair if the damage is unrelated to the regular care and maintenance of the sewer pipe or septic. An example of this would be if there is a fire and the sewer line is destroyed because it was located beneath the house. The insurance might cover replacement of the sewer pipes in that situation, but not if the pipes failed because they were old.

As a general rule, insurance policies do not cover sewer line repairs, but it is sometimes possible to purchase a special endorsement beyond your regular policy. It is also sometimes possible to obtain insurance coverage through your local water utility. And if you purchase a new septic tank or sewer line, it may even be possible to purchase an extended warranty to cover any problems over a five year period.

There are several important points to stress about sewer line or septic repair coverage. First, examine your current homeowner’s policy and ask questions about your coverage now. In the event of a failure, it is already too late. Second, avoid potential pitfalls by having regular scheduled septic tank inspections and maintenance of your lines by a professional sewer septic contractor. After all, nothing will be covered if it is due to your negligence.

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Save Your Septic System With a High-Efficiency Toilet

October 29th, 2012 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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One way to prolong the life and health of your septic system is through the use of a water-saving high efficiency toilet.  By some estimates, an old, inefficient toilet can account for up to 30 percent of the water use in your home, or as much as 11 gallons of wastewater each day per person.  Replacing your toilet, therefore, could be a really smart move.

There are three types of high-efficiency toilets on the market:

Single Flush – This type of water-saving toilet is similar to the older ones, except it uses a lot less water. Where the older toilets use up to 3.5 gallons per flush, the water saver uses only about 1.6 gallons.

Dual Flush – Dual flush toilets give you two options for flushing, one for solids and one for liquids. The solids flush uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush, while the liquids flush uses about 0.8 gallons.

Pressure Assist – Pressure assist toilets are most commonly used in public restrooms, but they can also be installed in private homes. They use compressed air to help push waste out of the toilet, resulting in the use of a lot less water, just one gallon of water per flush.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, installation of a high-efficiency toilet in your home can save 11 gallons of water each day, or more than 4,000 gallons of wastewater going into your septic system each year. And when less water enters the septic system, the EPA says, it improves the efficiency of the system and reduces the risk of needing septic tank service or repairs due to a septic system failure.

Also worthy of a mention is the cost savings on your water bill.  Replacing old leaky toilets with new water-efficient ones saves the average family of four about $90 a year. That’s about $1,000 over 10 years.

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How to Know If Your Septic Tank Needs to Be Pumped

October 29th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, you should have your septic tank pumped regularly, generally every 3 to 5 years. But if you’ve recently purchased a home with a septic tank or if you’re renting one, you might not necessarily know when the last one was done or when the next one is due.

Here are some clear signals it’s time to pump:

Alarms – If a red light flashes or an alarm beeps inside or outside, it could be an indication your tank is full and needs emptying.

Odor – If you smell a foul odor coming from the area around the tank, or in your bathroom, it is a definite sign you need to examine the septic system. It could mean that you have a break or clog in the line, or it could be time to have your septic tank pumped. In any case, you want to call your sewer septic contractor.

Toilet, Tub or Sink Backups – If your toilets or sinks back up with sewage and you have tried to remedy the situation by running a snake into the line to no avail, chances are you need septic tank pumping.

Slow Draining Fixtures – If your tubs, sinks or toilet take a long time to drain, especially after it rains, it could be a sign your septic needs to be pumped.

Overflow – If you notice the ground around the septic tank has become exceptionally wet and foul-smelling, this may be another clue that it’s time for a pump. Again, this could be due to a line break or blockage, but only a septic sewer contractor will be able to assess the situation.

When in doubt, it is always a good idea to have an inspection done just to ease your mind. A professional will be able to pinpoint any problems, and also tell you when and how often you should have your tank pumped.

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Why a Sewer Line Inspection is a Must for the Homebuyer

October 29th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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When a buyer purchases a new home, the bank or mortgage company typically requires an inspection that covers the condition of such things as the home’s structure and its heating, cooling and internal plumbing systems. What it does not always cover, however, is what you can’t see: the sewer lines that run underground from the house to the municipal sewage lines out on the street.

For a house that is older than 20 years old, a sewer line inspection at the point of sale is an absolute must. This inspection, conducted by a sewer septic professional contractor, will tell you what the lines are made of, what condition they’re in and if there are any breaks or blockages that could cause very costly problems down the road. If there are indeed issues with the lines, you may even be able to resolve them during the property transaction.

What is the best way to assess the condition of sewer lines? Obviously, short of digging up the yard, you have to get the best possible picture of the ground below, something that is best done through a camera inspection conducted by a sewer septic contractor. In this process, a fiber optic video camera is attached to the end of a very long probe that is sent directly from the house through the sewer lines and out to the street. The mini camera then transmits back to a monitor images that are so accurate, you can actually see the debris inside the lines, along with any cracks, breaks or blockages.

So if you’re looking for a new home, be sure to make your own checklist of what to inspect and definitely include a sewer line video analysis. For a relatively nominal fee now, it literally could save you thousands of dollars in the long run!

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Clean Your Drains Using Hydro Jetting

October 25th, 2012 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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There is something more powerful and effective then chemicals and snakes to clean out clogged drains. It is even safer and generally less expensive. Water! Hydro jetting technology uses water to not only clear clogs, but to actually clean away all the built up debris that has collected in pipes and drains over time. There are several ways that hydro jetting may be used:

 

  • Unclogging drains. If a home or business has a clogged drain, a professional hydro jetting service can be performed to unclog the drain or sewer. However, unlike using a snake or chemicals to remove the clog, hydro jetting will completely clean the pipes. This helps reduce the chance of them getting clogged again in a few weeks or months down the road.

 

  •  Clearing sewer pipes. For homes with sewer pipes, hydro jetting can clear out the same debris built up in any home or apartment and can also clear out tree roots that have grown into the pipes. Most roots are completely gone after a hydro Jet cleaning.

 

  • Maintenance. For large households, businesses and multiple-dwelling buildings, using hydro jetting on a maintenance schedule can prevent clogs from happening in the first place. Many professional plumbing services that use hydro jet technology offer these types of packages.

 

This new process is not only effective; it is also economical and ecologically friendly. Since there are no chemicals or devices needed, only the hydro jet equipment, it is can often be just as affordable and definitely more “green” then other pipe cleaning methods. Next time you are clogged or have a slow drain, give your local plumber a call and see the difference hydro jetting makes.

 

 

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Top Four Ways To Protect Your Septic System

October 25th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If you live in a home dependant on a septic system, you probably already know that having to replace it is not an expense you want to face. Septic systems run thousands of dollars and must be in working order for most homes to be sold or even rented. As in most of life, a good offense is the best defense. Here are the top four ways that you can protect your septic system so it will last for many years to come.

 

  1. Use water efficiently. The more water you use, the more strain it will put on your septic system. Consider upgrading to water-efficient fixtures like low flow toilets and water-reducing showerheads. Make sure you fix leaky faucets and running toilets to keep water waste at a minimum.

 

  1. Dispose properly.  Putting waste that is not easily broke down into your system can clog and damage the septic components. Do not flush or dispose of feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cotton swabs, cat litter, coffee grounds or any other solid objects. Also do not dispose of chemicals down the drain, such as paint, cleaning products and oils, as they can stress the treatment within the system.

 

  1. Inspect and pump regularly. How often you will have to pump your system will depend on the size of your family, the size of your tank and how much water you use. Most homes will need septic tank pumping about every 3-5 years. Having your system inspected about every three years can alert you to problems that need to be fixed.

 

  1. Care for your drain field. Make sure no excess water from gutters and other sources goes into the drain field. Plant only grass above it and keep vehicles off the area to protect the components.

 

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Internet Reviews of Sewer-Septic Contractors

October 3rd, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If you need septic tank pumping, a sewer line repair, a septic tank inspection, or to have  a new sewer line or septic system installed, it can be difficult to choose a reputable sewer septic professional who will provide top quality service at reasonable rates. You can find local sewer septic companies on the internet or in the phonebook, but how can you tell the difference between those that offer great service and the ones who just want your money?

The internet can be your friend in this situation.  There are many websites that allow or even encourage customers to post reviews on all sorts of consumer goods and services including sewer-septic contractors.  Used wisely, internet reviews can help you find a great sewer-septic professional.

The first thing to keep in mind is that most review websites do not screen the reviews or verify that the reviewers are genuine customers of the company.  If anyone can post an anonymous review, you could see extremely positive reviews that were actually posted by the company itself or by professionals paid to write positive reviews.  One clue that a positive review may be bogus is a lengthy, well written, very positive review posted at about the same time as several similar reviews.

Reviews from genuine customers are posted randomly throughout the year and often contain typographical, spelling, and grammar errors.  They also often have details about the work that was completed.

Highly negative reviews can be bogus as well.  These can be posted unscrupulous competitors, fired employees, or anyone else who wants to hurt the ratings of this company.  They are generally vague and offer few details to support the negative review.

Once you have eliminated any reviews suspected of being bogus, you should be able to find a consensus among the remaining reviews that will give you an indication of whether or not this sewer septic contractor can be expected to provide good service.

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